Cat Ba National Park is recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve of the world. The park has a total area of more than 17,360 ha, including the island, the forest, and the sea. The park has a rich flora and fauna ecosystem with 741 species of plants and 282 different species of animal, including many rare and precious animals and plants such as Cat Ba Langur, Otter, wild cat, Civet, and Black Squirrel.
Where is Cat Ba National Park? What does Cat Ba National Park have? Let's explore with Beka Travel
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Where is Cat Ba National Park?
Cat Ba National Park is located in Tran Chau commune, Cat Ba island, Cat Hai district, Hai Phong city. The park is about 60km from Hai Phong city and about 14km from the center of Cat Ba town. From the town center, visitors can hire a taxi or motorbike to get there. The entrance tickets are 80,000VND/person, Visitors can buy the tickets at the entry easily
How to get to Cat Ba National Park?
There are many ways to go to Cat Ba National Park, but if you are going from the center of Cat Ba town, you can hire a motorbike. What you feel when driving yourself is that you can enjoy the super fresh air along the way. If you go with your family, you can completely use a self-driving car or hire a taxi (the cost of hiring a taxi is 250.000VND/ trip).
From the center of Cat Ba town, people move in the direction of Cat Ba National Park (there is only 1 way) to Ang Soi junction, turn right and go about 5km more, you will Hospital cave. This is Catba's historic spot. 1km from Hospital Cave is Trung Trang cave. From here, you another 2 km then you will come to Cat Ba National Park.
At the gate of Cat Ba National Park, you can participate in mountain climbing and trekking activities (the closest is Ngu Lam peak with about 30 minutes hikking, farther is the route to Viet Hai village which is around 13km and it takes approximately 4-5 hours walking).
What does Cat Ba National Park have?
With diverse and rich flora and fauna system, to fully explore Cat Ba National Park, you can explore it in many different forms.
Forest eco-tourism
The most popular activity of this ecotype is hiking & climbing. Coming here, Tourists will feel the green space covered with a rare fresh and cool atmosphere.
There are a total of 5 routes for visitors to choose from for the exploring journey.
If you have the good physical strength and want to conquer nature a long distance, you can refer to 4-8 hour routes such as Ao Ech - Viet Hai, Kim Giao - Tung Di, May Bau - Quan Y Cave.
If you aren’t physically fit or have limited time, you can choose a 3-hour route such as the Kim Giao forest - Ngu Lam peak, Trung Trang cave.
Marine eco-tourism
Besides the forest ecosystem, the rich marine ecosystem is also the highlight of the National Park. To experience this type of tourism, visitors can go kayaking around the Lan Ha Bay. The colorful coral reefs under the limestone caves will bring visitors unforgettable experiences. In addition, fishing, and joining in water adventure games are also interesting activities that visitors can experience.
Community tourism
Besides exploring nature, learning about indigenous people's culture is also an interesting and useful activity for tourists when coming to Cat Ba.
Located in the National Park area, Viet Hai village is a small village with small houses rich in cultural traditions and rich local cuisine. This is also a highlight that retains visitors here.
Visitors can also try the village homestay experience. Visitors will be impressed with the serenity and majesty of nature & the scenery and the friendliness of the people here!
Trekking in Cat Ba National Park
Walking through the vast green forests not only gives you the most authentic view but also helps you discover many hidden beauties of the National Park.
3 trekking routes are chosen by most tourists:
• Kim Giao forest - Ngu Lam peak route:
From the center of the National Park, it takes about 3-4 hours to conquer the way to the top of the mountain with an altitude of about 225m. This route is quite steep. Along the way, visitors will encounter many jagged cliffs or slippery paths. So please ensure your health and prepare well for this journey.
Crossing difficult roads to reach the top of the mountain, you will admire the poetic and majestic beauty of Cat Ba panorama from above.
• Route May Bau - Military Cave:
From the center of the park, cross a long path to the top of May Bau, you can see old perennial trees with unique shapes. After reaching the top, you will continue on the route to Military Cave. Military Cave was a field hospital of the army and people on the island in the 40s of the twentieth century.
Coming here, you will be surprised at the field hospital with a monumental scale with a capacity of up to 100 beds.
• Route Frog Pond - Viet Hai Village:
Visitors will cross small trails to reach Frog lake - the largest freshwater lake in Cat Ba. Continue the way to Viet Hai village. Coming here, visitors will feel a peace that is far from the outside world.
Note before trekking:
• You should have comfortable, cool clothes, and wear hiking shoes to avoid foot pain and uncomfortable movement.
• Should bring insect spray if you are sensitive to mosquitoes or other insects
• Prepare water and some snacks to replenish energy consumed during trekking
• Do not throw garbage away in the forest or pond, lake, or sea.
